Philanthropy Capital of the World

Home to the George Kaiser Family Foundation, the Schusterman Foundation, Zarrow Foundation, and the Tulsa Community Foundation.

Tulsa consistently ranks in the top 10 most generous cities in the country, and is home to the highest per capita giving zip code in the nation. (Per Philanthropy News Digest)

From Tulsa's consistantly record breaking United Way fund drives to the annual Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless Valentines Party, Tulsans are known for their generosity of time, spirit, and resources. Through their generosity, Tulsans are able to extend the impact of community organizations so that they can maximize their reach and make Tulsa stronger for generations to come.

We will highlight selected Tulsa Area Philanthropy is this section to show why Tulsa is the Philanthopy Capital of the World.

Tulsa Area Generosity Allows United Way to Distribute $500,000 to Partners

The Tulsa Area United Way announced that they will be able to allocate an additional $500,000 to their partner agencies from the donations that came in above their annual campaign target.

"A record-breaking fundraising campaign last fall will result in a significantly higher level of investment in the community this year, according to Mark R. Graham, President and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way.

The Tulsa Area United Way raised a record $25,575,522 during its 2012 campaign – surpassing its goal by more than $675,000, the highest total in its 88-year history.

“The campaign surplus provided by our generous contributors will enable us to meet even more needs in our community,” Graham said.

The Tulsa Area United Way Board of Directors approved a plan to allocate the surplus funding at its meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

A total of $500,000 in surplus funding will be utilized for community collaborations, while $326,000 will be allocated to address unmet needs of 15 Tulsa Area United Way partner agencies. In addition, the Tulsa Area United Way’s Venture Grant Program will be increased by $61,385. Venture grants are awarded by the United Way each year to fund new, creative and innovative approaches to community challenges."

Typos Donate $9000 to YWCA

Tulsa’s Young Professionals’ 2012 chair, Kate Hoback, presented a check to the TYPros’ 2012 community partner for funds raised throughout the year at various events. TYPros raised a grand total of $9,000 in cash and in-kind donations and more than 1,500 volunteer hours for the non-profit.

“We at the YWCA can’t say thank you enough for the support the Tulsa Young Professionals gave us in 2012,” says Felecia Collins Correia, CEO of YWCA Tulsa. “The community partnership has been beneficial and we hope to continue a relationship with TYPros, and the many individual relationships which were formed this year, well into the future.”

The TYPros/YWCA partnership began early in 2012 with a red carpet presence at the annual YWCA Wine, Women and Shoes event. The second big event was TYPros’ Second Annual Big Wheel Race, the principal partner fundraiser, which raised money for the YWCA via race entries and a percentage of food and drink sales. Generous support from multiple Tulsa restaurants allowed TYPros to host a variety of events at local eateries while also earning a percentage of profits for the YWCA.

“A benefit of TYPros’ membership is getting to network with diverse professionals,” says Tulsa’s Young Professionals’ Executive Director Brian Paschal, “This diverse network is a benefit for our community partner as well; we are able to spread the word to young-professional niches across the Tulsa business community to raise awareness and funds for the partner organization.”

Sydney Wyre named as 2012 Outstanding Youth in Philanthrophy

Eleven-year-old Sydney Wyre was named as the 2012 Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy by the Association of Fundraising Professionals' Eastern Oklahoma Chapter. In 2012, Sydney raised $10,000 for the American Cancer Society by baking 9,300 cupcakes.

How the idea began: My papa had lung cancer seven years ago and I really care for him, and my dance teacher Miss Kim ... founded Dance for a Cure seven years ago when she lost her dad to lung cancer. I decided that I wanted to combine the two things I love most to help raise money to donate to Dance for a Cure.

I love baking cupcakes, so for my 10th birthday I asked for cupcake -baking supplies. My mom and I decided we would take orders for cupcakes and then donate the money. Our original goal was $500, but we reached that in four days so we just kept going.

Presenting the check to the American Cancer Society: It brought joy to my heart. When Miss Kim announced my total at Dance for a Cure I was so proud to know that I did this. I honestly never thought we would (collect) this much, but it makes me happy to know that there are so many people out there that want to make a difference, even if it’s just by buying a cupcake.

Other passions: My mom and I volunteer with Emmy’s Heart, Go Bald or Go Home and Turn BA Pink ... to help raise money to fight cancer. I also like to do things for the Children’s Oncology Clinic at Saint Francis. I love to see the smiles on (the children’s) faces when we do something for them.

Winning 2012 Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy: I was surprised that I got it since I’m only 10, but it made me feel like I could save someone’s life by doing this and that made me really happy.

What she wants you to know: I just want people to know that anyone can make a difference doing something. Find something you like and focus on that. The more people we have fighting cancer, the sooner we will find a cure. No one should have to battle this horrible disease.